The Good Library Blog

I've no idea what 'seeking your community' is but like you I just go to the library for books...

I think most people who go to the library are only there for something to read (apart from the People's Network). Some are maybe there to explore a bit. (It's almost a psychological contract that if we are to be citizens then the knowledge of what we are citizens is a given.) I'm sure people who don't even go to the library value the library as well. A colleague at Christmas reminded me that in all the commercialism of Xmas we lose the meaning of Christmas, but that meaning is to be found and given a full treatment at the library (not in the shops or on the TV). And at this point we're on to the value of libraries :)

I think it is fair to say that at this point in the history of libraries, while the value of libraries is multifarious (very broad ranging), our understanding is somewhat fragmented, consisting of a whole host of individual perceptions to be found in books, reports, inquiries, speeches, and nowadays 'grey' literature as well (the unpublished thoughts of people placed on the web on discussion boards, blogs, etc.). I say this from my own experience as a library assistant, reading the books my library authority has on libraries (027.4), and reading the web whilst running Library Web (click on name above). // At this point in the history of the libraries I think we need to bring all this thinking together into an (trust a bunch of school teachers to come up with this) "intellectual justification" for libraries, the rational for libraries (a 'library proof'). We need this now because libraries are losing their relevance with society (purse holders, the public). We need to tell people what that relevance is. It's about time the public (and friends groups) were given a detailed analysis of the role and purpose of the libraries in society. At this point in the evolution of the libraries I think we are about ready to do that. Secondly our society has undergone a great deal of changes since the beginning of its 160 year history. Yet they are still essentially doing things as they did at the beginning of their history (Dewey, fiction/genera, leaflets/posters, etc.). Library managers need to first know the ends and the aims of the libraries inorder to be able to then apply themselves creatively to bringing the libraries back into relevance with society. // Three examples of how I think the libraries could be applying themselves more creatively in this day and age, one practical, 2 others a bit more far fetched but examples of what might be possible. I was asked for ESOL resources earlier in the week by a patron whose first language was not English. I found books and websites. It would have been very convenient to have a website for the particular community library I was in to post those resources, links to the webpages, links to the library catalogue and the books. Not every library has a large overseas community (I would estimate 50-75% of this library's users are non-english speakers). But this library's community was, and a website for that library itself that could be updated by the library's staff would enable the library to tailor the library service to the community. Some more farfetched examples but which I think the libraries could/should be working towards. Bringing books to the gaming machines of teens (Xbox, Playstation, etc.). Libraries would have to offer e-books over the Internet, and reader software would have to be developed. A second idea is to use Facebook, what if library staff were to take on the role of 'Library Friend' for Facebook users, who would be able to add a member of staff from their local library onto their Facebook page as a friend. There to engage in dialogue, answer questions, maybe even offer timely advice on information. It would take software to manage, but surely the gains for community libraries would be tremendous. // One last point while I'm here, it's almost a criminal waste of public funds that libraries are not using wikis for internal administration! Modernity I think really is a serious issue for the libraries at the moment. // Thanks for reading, just my two pence ha'penny worth, with the UNISON and DCMS reviews coming up :)

Gareth.

This is a bit rambling- if you want to it edit down, I'll put it on again.

I'd make two points in response.

The first is that if you believe, and it seems absolutely right to me, that you should be stocking ESOL titles (for people for whom English is a second language) - then why on earth don't you? Nobody else controls your stock, other than you and your colleagues. That is the kind of comment that drives readers to despair.

And secondly rather than spend time justifying the importance of libraries, it would be better to make them important. You should start from the assumption that the public have sufficient common sense and would use and value libraries if they were good. The reason they don't use them is because they are unlikely to have the books they want, are not open when it is convenient to use them and are in poor buildings. If you and your profession would put those things right, you would find (I know for certain) a dramatic increase in use.

People don't want another report or even a marketing campaign, they want an improvement programme and you are the guys who are paid to produce it.

Poor buildings are a big turn off, and "the books they want" are so important. Although a lot of authorities are running trials of libraries of downloadable e-books on the Internet, these are only trials. So opening times are still important for people to be able to pick up their books. So yes I do agree with you entirely, and your reply has highlighted priorities and what is basically important.

I do still think that a community library should have its own website that the staff create and update (maybe even a blog and twitter feed as well), and that library authorities should by now be using wiki software instead of paper based system/procedure manuals. But if we don't have the opening times and the books then there's not a lot of point in all this in the first place I guess.

I do tend to go off into the realms of philosophical debate at times, and there is a great deal of this on the Internet at the moment, being where I tend to spend a fair amount of my time doing Library Web!

In the West, the library question concerns copyright more than anything else.

Who gets paid by whom and why?

Gareth

Thanks for commenting again. You are right, it is so important to understand and concentrate on what are clearly 'priorities'. The public library service is a large national resource and operation and the public are entitled to the highest quality everywhere- that is what they pay for. In an operation of such scale, of course, there has to be constant research and development of improvements and changes that will be appropriate in the future. That is what every organisation, both public and private has to do. But at the same time, that must never allow the focus on current priorities to slip. Even if electronic downloading of popular reading became a more significant part of what is offered than it has yet become, that does not give anyone an excuse for not concentrating on the buildings, the hours, the stock and the quality of help given to readers. And both politicians and the public are entitled to look to the profession to handle these matters in an organised and well managed way. We cannot forever be trying to catch every bus that passes, just because it seems to offer some new destination.

The public library profession often appears to behave as it were a student democratic society, endlessly debating and looking for research opportunities. It isn't - it is a privileged body who are employed by the public to do a job. So to outsiders it is frustrating to watch disorganised 'navel gazing' as one of your colleagues wrote here the other day, and of the hapless kind we are currently watching in CILIP's call for a review of its future role.

"If you and your profession would put those things right, you would find (I know for certain) a dramatic increase in use."

I am a member of the library profession. As a "customer support assistant" I'm on the lowest rung of the ladder but I can assure you that if it where possible to change things many CSAs would love to. A point that seems lost in the majority of these discussions and endless reviews of the "Library System" is the conditions of the staff who are supposed to deliver any proposals. Contrary to belief CSAs are low paid workers who mainly work part-time, their roles are being downgraded - CSA rather than Library Assistant (much too elitist). Local Authorities are depending on casual staff and temporary contracts more and more and incidently losing valuable experienced workers. Morale is at rock bottom as counters are replaced by self-service, no redundancies but staff will be lost through "natural wastage", so any thought of being released to do more direct work with the public will be a mirage as less staff are expected to do more. Yes we know the buildings are crap - we work in them, yes we know the stock is rubbish - we shelve it. But have a thought for the poor bugger behind the counter who has to absorb all the complaints while organising rhyme times, My Guide courses, craft activities, Summer Reading schemes, Book Start, Book Crawl, and is told to wear gloves because the heating in the building isn't working and it's now 50°F!

I'm with you John-- and I think everyone is, or should be. My jibes are about the professional staff in management positions, many of whom are not actually working in libraries. Many thanks for your comment.

I go to the library for books. Mostly stuff I have ordered in with a small side order of random interest (I lack much time for extensive random interest type reading). I note the area set aside for people reserving items has grown by a bay in recent times - signs of shifting use?

I also go for a bunch of other stuff:

A cheap and ever interesting destination for those with an under 5

To see the latest exhibition by local artists

to pick up information on education / cultural activity locally

To get a bag for the recycling

Why shouldn't libraries be at the heart of their communities? If anything I would like to see more activities up at the library - particularly in the early evenings. The same building now has a youth club space - there should be the potential to do brilliant stuff.

Hi Loughton Library User

You are absolutely right. What also needs to be recognised is (and never seems to be) in any of the reviews/proposals of government bodies etc. is the pressure on the people providing these services.

Firstly, the library service needs to use less casual staff and temporary contracts (I recognise that some are and always will be needed, but we have about a third to a half of the workforce in our Authority on temporary contracts and in some libraries ALL of the staff are temps/casuals). This is an inherently unstable staffing situation leading to lack of trainig, experience and low pay.

Secondly, the staff need to be trained properly - I know this may sound astoundingly simplistic but believe me in a lot of cases it doesn't happen. (This also comes to the sticky question of losing those staff who have a wealth of experience in libraries and books because they don't want to do computer courses or storytimes - not because they want to be awkward but perhaps because they don't have the confidence in their own abilities).

Finally, and this is the crunch one at this time of 'economic meltdown'- staff need to be paid properly. Forget all the spin about public sector workers getting paid more than the private sector and all those lovely gold plated pensions. After working for 6 years and fulfilling training requirements I get paid £8.72 an hour, (about a pound an hour more than the guy who cleans the library), I work 17.5 hours a week (I will not get a large pension, gold plated or otherwise - tin plated perhaps?). I'm one of the lucky one's because I've got a permanent contract. My point is - I am happy to do anything to make my library a success (and the rest of my colleagues are as dedicated) - but the levels of remuneration for the roles we already carry out are pitiful - looking to the future with self service, digital plinths and staff reductions through "natural wastage" we will be expected to do more with even less.

I hope this doesn't sound too pompous and I know that many other people will be in the same position in their jobs, but I do feel that sometimes the Great Library Debate needs to be turned on its head. Before adding to the list of extra things we need to do let's stop destroying the valuable assets we have in the staff (just as we have done with book stock and buildings).

Thanks for your time.